In late 1941, the historian Alan Nevins wrote about an America confronted by an unimaginable global war against both Japan and Germany in a politically divided atmosphere. He called for an “heroic mood” that could only be achieved “If the whole people be enlisted on as nearly an equal an basis as possible” to stave off “the grumbling, rumor-mongering and passive resistance that will become the vocation of large groups.”
He could as easily have written that about the anti-vaccination groups and individuals circulating in noisy numbers today. Theirs are voices raised in another time of crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic which has already claimed more than 500,000 American lives, many of them needless victims.
“This is a free country and I am free not to get a vaccine,” shouts one of them. Others insist the vaccines are poisonous and will kill. Still others believe they are part of a sly government plan to control its citizens. And some apparently believe God will decide whether they will I’ve and die no matter what the vaccines do.
Such a crew of complainers. Interestingly, many of their voicers are the same ones raised to protest the results of the presidential election, to endorse the riots at the Capitol on January 6 and to allege that Joe Biden is an illegitimate President.
Blather like that, of course, only lessens a need for even acknowledging such balderdash. (Yes, I know there are far blunter words to convey this thought, but let’s keep it aboveboard.)
But the co-mingling of lies about elections with lies about vaccinations comes appallingly easily to a lot of Republicans. And yes, these are Trump Republicans, as if there is any difference between the majority of GOP members and the continuing affection for the still-lying, still-narcissistic former president.
Vaccinations work. Scientists and medical personnel say so. There is physical evidence from those who have been vaccinated. It’s a real and good thing. It is protective not only for those vaccinated but for those around them. It will help keep family and friends alive. It’s the right thing. And for all but a few who have legitimate medical issues, there is NO VALID REASON to fail to get vaccinated.
Please stop all the nonsense circulating around anti-vax groups on Facebook and Instagram and other social media sites. Don’t believe what you read from unsourced materials; do some serious homework about the vaccines. The truths you’ll find are far more complex than the foolish diatribes against vaccines, and you’ll come away with a better and deepened appreciation and understanding of what’s at stake.
Do it for yourself. Do it for people you care about. Do it for America because you’re a real patriot. And this is what heroes do.